Shoot or pass

Joined
Aug 26, 2024
Messages
10
Last year I had one weekend in Georgia and let many dies walk, one had 2 big fawns (no spots) suckling on her so I didn’t take any of them. Passed a couple ugly small bucks too. Ended up with nothing that weekend
 
Joined
Aug 30, 2024
Messages
50
Shoot the first deer that is not a fawn that gives you a shot. If you were in an area that had some trophy bucks then that may change.
 

thinny

FNG
Joined
Sep 5, 2024
Messages
14
What's more important to you?
Being able to get your first bow kill or the opportunity to maybe shoot a bigger deer? It's all about your own personal goals for the season.
 

Watrdawg

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 30, 2019
Messages
284
Location
NC
I look at it this way. If the doe are regularly coming by your stand then hold off a bit and see what comes by during the rut. Now if you only have that one tag and not much time to hunt take the 1st deer that comes by regardless of sex. I'm lucky in that here in NC we get 6 tags and have a long season. I'll take 2-3 doe right off the bat and then hold out for a buck.
 

smshuntr

FNG
Joined
Oct 28, 2019
Messages
14
wait it out until the last two weekends then it’s time to get something for the freezer.
 

Outside

FNG
Joined
Sep 18, 2022
Messages
11
A doe is not a consolation prize or participation ribbon. If you get excited when a doe is working through, send an arrow!
 

saskhunter

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jun 24, 2020
Messages
128
These posts are silly. You're not looking for advice, you're looking for reassurance.

As long as it's legal, do what ever you want and you shouldn't GAF about what other people think.

Cogito ergo sum! Be your own man, make your own decisions.
 
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Macintosh

WKR
Joined
Feb 17, 2018
Messages
2,843
how long is your season, and what is the deer density like? If you are a newer bow hunter or have any difficulty getting shot opportunities at all, shoot all the deer you can. I like the answers from 180ls1 and Outside. If you have a long season and/or high deer density and having deer walk by in range is easy...well, maybe be a little pickier IF that floats your boat, who cares what anyone else thinks. But I'm a firm believer that any deer is a great deer to put in the freezer. If there's a browse line on local woodlines, shoot all the does you can. IMO more states need "earn a buck" regs.
 

jcaud

FNG
Joined
Apr 29, 2022
Messages
72
If it’s your first deer I say go for the doe. Fills the freezer and gives you some confidence!
 

Rich M

WKR
Joined
Jun 14, 2017
Messages
5,598
Location
Orlando
No matter what you read in print, most folks just want to shoot something.

They change all these buck rules to 3 points or whatever and folks b&m about not being able to shoot spikes. Then folks shoot the first 3 point they see.

There is no shame in shooting any deer.
 
Joined
Jul 6, 2022
Messages
6
I'd shoot it. Better to gain the experience now, so when you do have an opportunity at a big buck you have more confidence.
 
Joined
Feb 15, 2019
Messages
937
My advice is always more time and experience in the field if you have the opportunity, but if you have one day and want to shoot, shoot a doe. They eat just fine and will not give the multitude of things that can happen for a first time bow hunter shooting a buck as a first kill with bow.

I always recommend a novice hunter (with a choice of weapon) shooting a few doe before any buck, but my advice is about as good as the paper its written on....and given that it is online, that tells you enough
 

Tourguide

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 10, 2021
Messages
132
So this is my first year bow hunting and in the unit I hunt it’s any whitetail. So my question is if a does comes through my stand should I pass or shoot ? I’ve only seen does and 1 spike. I know ultimately it’s up to me but I wanted to hear other people’s thoughts


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Do yourself a favor, kill whatever gives you a clean shot. And then buy more tags and repeat the process. Most of all remember hunting is supposed to be fun and not a competition
 
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